Why are some people in the US scared of a Friday that falls on the 13th of the month? Is it a superstition? Is it pop culture trend inspired from horror movies? An opportunity to make macabre jokes?

I wish I had a solution on how to fix the homelessness problem in the country, and in my area… I don’t have a solution yet. I hope to find it one day. It is just very sad that it persists. I don’t judge the homeless people as irresponsible or addicts. Some ar whom else’s due to a health situation that made them bankrupt. If I decide to give them some money, I don’t worry about them using it to smoke, to buy illegal drugs or to drink alcohol. I leave that judgment up to Higher Power. Sometimes I ask them how did they become homeless. Sometimes I asked what can I give them that they could use. If I am able, I will bring it to them the next day or the same day. I feel compassion for them, especially when the weather is too cold or too hot. I feel helpless and hopeless for them. Please share your thoughts and feelings about this. Can you think of a feasible solution to help with this societal issue?

Daydreaming much? I do, and until today I never heard of it being mentioned in a positive way or context. My teacher colleagues seem to consider it an undesired distraction in students that interferes with their focus on the task. Today, though, I got some insightful and encouraging new perspectives on it. Until now, it has not occurred to me to look at daydreaming as productive, solution finding, invention territory, or having evolutionary survival value. As one who - I suspect - have always been daydreaming to an extent, I did have shame and guilt about it. Starting today, those unhelpful feelings are about to be ousted. It may be a process, not an event, but I plan to practice the empowering thought that daydreaming is a strength, not a weakness. I can even frame daydreaming as another superpower associated with ADHD (ADD subtype). How relieving!

What is a new habit or piece of new knowledge you gained this year, that helps the planet Earth? I learned to leave soda cans and empty plastic bottles as they are, in their original shape, and to screw the plastic cap back on the empty bottles before placing them in the recycling bin. I aim to avoid bringing any plastic or cans into the house as much as possible, and to use refillable water cups or tumblers. Sometimes though, this is unavoidable. When so, recycling can minimize the damage to the planet and to our bodies over time, through the microplastics in our water and food. At some point last year I had gotten into the habit of flattening and rolling empty plastic water bottles, as well as stomping on soda can tops to flatten them out before placing them in the recycle bin. I saw someone doing that and I thought that it is a good idea because I am saving space in my recycle bins and they take less space anywhere on earth. However, after researching online, I saw it is suggested to avoid flattening the cans and the plastic bottles, as the machines that process them (optical sorters at recycling facilities) might misidentify the flattened bottles and cans as paper, leading to contamination. If we recycle cans and bottles rinsed and intact we will ensure they are processed correctly.

What is your favorite movie so far? If just one of many is tough to pick, you can pick any movie or TV show, or even two, just as longs as you can give me an idea of what specifically made or makes that your favorite movie or TV Show. Mine is “Dawson’s Creek” TV show, first aired in 1999, with Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, James Van Der Beek. It’s the only TV show I watched more than twice. I actually watched it 6 times. I love it because those teenagers are so smart, are friends, support each other through growing pains, they love, have fun, create, cry on each other’s shoulders, and celebrate good times together. They all have proven to be incredibly talented actors from a young age, and they are all still acting, aging like fine wine.